Carissa is 4!!

She has the spirit of the Sun, the moods of the Moon, and the will of the Wind.

- Julie Perkins Cantrell

She will forever be my youngest, my little little. She requires time to just stop and have little "chats". She is watchful and shy, careful but unafraid. My youngest daughter is part of what makes me whole. If you see me then more than likely she will be right by. I wonder if that will always be the case? If she will occupy the space beside me always?

Happy Birthday sweet girl.

Love, Mom

Weekend Flurry

It is now officially summer vacation in our home. It is the time in our year where the girls and I get to plan a bunch of fun things and Dad gets to join in if he is lucky. This weekend one of his many jobs was to install ceiling fans. We purchased this "Five Minute Fan" with the hopes that, well, it would be a quick install... He didn't think it it was funny that I wanted to time the process, which started at 11:41 am.
He also didn't think it was funny when we completed the fan at 1:58 pm. Exactly 2 hours later.

Since we lost so much time on that project I am pleased to say the joining a food Co-op proved to be a success. Check out all this food I received at the first pick-up for just $15!!

So now I am off to figure out how to use my coconut this week... I am thinking homemade Almond Joys... HA Just kidding.

A quick funny...

someone knocked on my front window today thinking it was my front door (which happens to be on the side of my house.)

They quickly realized the mistake BUT not before I saw. I immediatly got that little joy in my gut. You know, the kind of funny you feel when you witness someone do a little trip or walk into a sliding glass door.

It is hard to hide the grin...he he

I am so spoiled

Audge went all out this Mother's Day and treated me like a Queen! I was invited to her classroom for a Mother's Day Spa Treatment. We received Cucumber Water (yummy), chocoloate covered strawberries, and mini muffins. Then we were told to sit back and relax as the first-graders rubbed our backs, put lotion on our legs and hands, and even painted our toes!

My sweet girl took this job very seriously! There wasn't even a single moment were she stopped being an attentive daughter. I was touched to tears and so proud that I am raising such a caring, compassionate person.

We also received some awesome news that Audge's First Grade Teacher is moving up to Second Grade and she is able to be in her class next year. Just when the guilt is about to overflow from the move and the all the transition, it seems like suddenly we are being carried through some really calm times.

The Lord's Grace is amazing!!

P.S. Check out the flip flops in the photo ~ handmade by my girl!

You know it's a good day when...

Your child is playing so hard she doesn't have a care in the world...
The makings of a wonderful Home Office is in the works...

We successfully completed a project (jazzed up a clipboard) for Teacher Appreciation week...

And fresh Chocoloate Chip Cookies are baked and on hand.

It's days like this I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

THE POD!!!

If I never have to say the word POD again it will be too soon! Seven long months and we have finally moved into a home that is our own. The girls are so amazingly happy and it is so great to see them so relaxed and comfortable - even if it is among boxes.

Our new house is beautiful with views of the mountains and trees that line the streets. We are very lucky. We have been able to do things that most families don't attempt and we are so grateful for what we have experienced.

That being said it a pleasant kind of comfortableness to have finally stopped. You can never underestimate the power of just being still for a while. And that is just what I plan on doing, with my girls and the man I love.

I don't think it is going to take much to make this house OUR HOME.